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Questions & Answers about De soep smaakt uitstekend.
What is the literal translation of De soep smaakt uitstekend into English?
The literal translation is The soup tastes excellent.
How does the verb smaakt function in this sentence?
Smaakt is the third-person singular form of the verb smaken. It serves as a linking verb that connects the subject (de soep) with the descriptive adjective (uitstekend) indicating the soup’s quality.
Why is the definite article de used before soep?
In Dutch, most common-gender nouns (masculine or feminine) are preceded by the article de. Here, it marks soep as a specific or familiar noun, much like the in English.
Is uitstekend functioning as an adjective or an adverb, and does it change form when used predicatively?
Uitstekend functions as a predicate adjective that describes the state of the soup. In Dutch, adjectives used predicatively (after a linking verb) generally do not change form.
How does the structure of De soep smaakt uitstekend compare to a similar English sentence?
The structure is very similar. Both Dutch and English use a subject followed by a linking verb and then an adjective to describe a state or quality—for example, The soup tastes excellent.
Does smaakt follow a regular conjugation pattern that might help in learning other Dutch verbs?
Yes. Dutch regular verbs typically add a -t in the third-person singular present tense. Recognizing this pattern in smaakt can help learners correctly conjugate many other regular Dutch verbs.